Officials with the Family Crisis Support Network in Atlantic say “Family Table Talk” cards will soon be distributed in Cass County. Director Wendy Richter says the cards have been a collaborative effort between the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Atlantic Rotary Club. Richter says the Council began the project as a way for families to put down electronic devices at mealtime, and what better way to begin that than while waiting for food at a restaurant. Many of the ideas on the cards are activities that families can do in restaurants but are also ones that can be done while at home too.

Pictured are: Melanie Storural, Council member, Damon Clark, Rotarian, Dolly Bergmann, Rotary District 6000 Asst. Governor, Kaila Antisdel, Rotarian, Kate Olson, Rotarian & Council member, Lora Kanning, Council member. (Photo courtesy Wendy Richter)

The activities easily open communication between parents and their children and when talking to their parents is easy for kids, they are more likely to talk to parents when struggling with difficult issues as they get older. According to Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, “it’s important to give all parents resources that allow them to bond with their children, gain parenting skills and manage stress”. “Family Table Talk” cards will help in each of these areas.

Rotary Clubs in District 6000 were encouraged to participate with their local Child Abuse Prevention Councils to work on a project. The Atlantic Rotary Club, being a member of District 6000, contacted to Cass County Child Abuse Council to find a way to work jointly on a project. The cards project was presented to the Rotary Club and approval for participation was approved by the Board of Director.

For additional resources about the groups mentioned above, check out the following: pcaiowa.org, rotaryinternational.org, or see the cass county child abuse prevention council on FaceBook.